10 things you might have missed during the international break so far

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It’s the international break, which doesn’t mean a lot, except there’s definitely loads of bits you’ve missed if your attention’s dipped a little. 

Not only was there a few wonder goals scored around the world, but goals were scored by elite sprinters (!), multiple heir apparents came to the fore and generally there was a bit of weirdness in the Croatia-England game.

Here are 10 things you probably missed.

1. James Rodriguez scored a wonder goal

Colombia’s main man scored a ridiculous opener in his nation’s 4-2 friendly victory over the USA at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Receiving the ball with his back to goal in the top corner of the US penalty box, Rodriguez turned towards his own goal, fainted, then turned back and while keeping the ball always on his left even when it seemed easier to just pass it with his right, he struck it, sending curling past the classic-of-the-genre style stranded ‘keeper.

All this from a player unable to get many minutes at all under Niko Kovac at Bayern.

2. Usain bolt scored twice on his first start for the Central Coast Mariners

Pretty much the most important bit of news in this piece, is the fact that fastest man in the world and non-footballer-turned-footballer Usain Bolt scored a brace in a friendly.

Turning out or Australian club side Central Coast Mariners, Bolt was playing in his second professional-level game and he would have done his hopes of turning pro no disservice with his well-taken goals, though he generally did get many touches of the ball in the match.

Scoring his goals in a 20-minute spell in the second-half, fans will be hoping he can continue his goalscoring form going into the new league season.

However the 32-year-old still lacks some of the general quality needed of any player to play at the professional level, let’s see how much he can improve in time.

3. The England fans watching the Croatia game from a hill 

Obviously this game was played behind closed doors due to an infraction by Croat ground staff in 2016, meaning this was Croatia’s fifth home game played in front of zero fans.

That meant all you could really hear were the shouts and yelps of the players and coaching staff in their respective languages, instead of the usual din from the fans.

Except there were some fans, some English fans up on a hill rising above the very small for international standards stadium.

Typical England fanfare like Eng-ger-land could be heard faintly, as could some choice criticism toward UEFA.

4. Geoffrey Kondogbia switched allegiances to Central African Republic

The Sevilla powerhouse ensured that he would no longer represent France but instead turn out for Central African Republic after captaining them on Friday.

Kondogbia was born in France to parents from the Central African Republic, and has been playing for the French youth sides, helping Les Bleus to win the Under-20 side the 2013 World Cup.

He had also picked up five senior caps, though they were all friendlies, and the last came in 2015.

After missing out on selection for the 2018 World Cup, which France went on to win, Kondogbia declared his allegiance change to Central African Republic, and captaining the side, his new country lost 4-0 to Ivory Coast.

5. Injured Mo Salah scored from a corner

Although he’s yet to hit the goalscoring heights of last year, with that assuredness of finishing seemingly lacking, Mo Salah scored a wordly for Egypt this international break.

With The Pharoahs already up 3-0, Salah curled in a left-footed corner that ultimately beat everyone including the goalkeeper to make it 4-0. The game ultimately ended 4-1.

Albeit against Swaziland, this was an AFCON qualifier, though it will be a concern to Liverpool and Egypt fans alike that Salah hobbled off injured in the second half.

6. Neymar can’t stop scoring and assisting

Neymar has scored or assisted in each of his last 13 games for club and country, with 13 goals and nine assists.

In the international fixture on Friday, Brazil beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 with goals from Gabriel Jesus and Alex Sandro.

Neymar assisted both, demonstrating his new-found desire to be the creator for his country.

7. Reiss Nelson scored a lovely backheel for England U21

England U21 beat Andorra U21 7-1 which in itself isn’t particularly impressive, though it did ensure the Young Lions’ qualification to the 2019 UEFA U21 Championship.

The really impressive thing was the performance of Reiss Nelson, who looked sharp and incisive against a team several tiers below its opponents.

In any case, Reiss Nelson notched an assist, scored with a sumptuous back-heel/Ronaldo chop finish, and generally showed great balance and compsure on the ball throughout. One to look out for.

8. Heir to Sergio Busquets is revealed

The heir to Sergio Busquets has been announced and its Rodrigo Hernadez, or ‘Rodri’.

He was central to everything Spain did against Ryan Giggs’ Wales, having 144 touches, attempting 128 passes and completing all but one of them.

The Atleti midfielder could well be the answer to Spain’s problem, that is, who will replace the exceptional Sergio Busquets, who has lost any pace he might have had.

Time will tell.

9. Kylian Mbappe makes even more history following TIME magazine cover

The French superstar made even more history this week after appearing on the cover of TIME magazine.

He scored his first penalty, but more impressively, he’s now the first player in French football history to score 10 senior goals for the men’s national team before his 20th birthday.

That’s 68 goals for club and country now, quite the tally for a teenager.

10. Europe’s most in-form strikers all scored

The continent’s most in-form striker bagged goals this week, with Paco Alcacer, Andre Silva and Krysztof Piatek all hitting home for their respective nations.

That takes Piatek to 14, and Alcacer and Silva to 9, which is pretty good going considering it’s mid October.

Piatek, the heir to Lewandowski’s position for Poland, struck for his homeland to make 1-0 against Portugal, while Andre Silva finished an unreal pass from Ruben Neves in a a game that ultimately ended 3-2 to the European champions. Alcacer meanwhile scored for Spain against Wales.

The post 10 things you might have missed during the international break so far appeared first on Squawka News.



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